Preview: Universal Orlando’s Diagon Alley casts a shopping spell

A dragon is perched atop Gringotts Bank at Universal Orlando’s new The Wizarding World of Harry Potter -Diagon Alley. Unique shops figure heavily into the attraction, which opens to the public on July 8. The Associated Press

The new park zone, called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley, will delight fans of the hit book and movie series with a marquee ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

But Diagon Alley is also heavy on experiential retail, with stores so entertaining and visually stimulating that you almost forget you’re shopping.

The attraction doubles the size of the Harry Potter footprint on Universal’s property. Diagon Alley opens to the public July 8 at Universal Studios. A train called the Hogwarts Express connects the new area to the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction, called Hogsmeade, which opened in 2010 on the other side of the theme park at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

If fans want to see both Harry Potter areas, a two-park ticket is required. For adults, a two-park ticket for one day costs $136; for children, it’s $130.

Helena Bonham Carter, Matthew Lewis and Domhnall Gleeson were among the actors from Potter films walking a red carpet at Universal Wednesday night.

Here are first impressions of Universal’s new Diagon Alley, which was inspired by the fictional London location famous for wizarding supplies in the Harry Potter series:

Window shopping

The level of detail in Diagon Alley is amazing, and nowhere are the features more fun and true to the novels and movies than in shop windows. There are lots of things for sale, but others are simply decorative. Books play a central role in the decor; window-shoppers will see animatronic versions of “The Monster Book of Monsters,” a tome with teeth, along with self-knitting needles and Harry Potter’s snowy owl, Hedwig.

Unique gifts

With seven shops in Diagon Alley, there’s plenty to buy. Among the offerings: Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes (chattering teeth, expandable ears), Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions ($250 for a wizard’s robe), Quality Quidditch Supplies (everything for playing the real-life sport based on the game in the series) and Scribbulus (implements for paper, pen and ink lovers). Magical Menagerie sells cute stuffed animals, while Borgin and Burkes is a “dark arts” shop that sells skulls, black T-shirts and Death Eater masks. Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment sells telescopes and binoculars.

Interactive wands

For $35, guests can buy interactive wands at Ollivanders Wand Shop, located in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. When wand-wielding guests see a medallion symbol in either area, they can wave the wand and cast spells. The wands make trolls dance, light lamps and chandeliers, and silence some shrunken heads, among other things.

Photo Ops

As you enter Diagon Alley, look toward Gringotts Bank — which is the entrance to the centerpiece thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. A dragon is perched atop the bank, and it breathes fire. Once you enter the bank, while in queue for the ride, don’t miss the three enormous glass chandeliers. Finally, find 12 Grimmauld Place where Kreacher the House Elf peers eerily from a window.

Things To Do

A dragon is perched atop Gringotts Bank at Universal Orlando’s new The Wizarding World of Harry Potter -Diagon Alley. Unique shops figure heavily into the attraction, which opens to the public on July 8.

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